What are the symptoms of dehydration?

A:

Quick Answer

Some of the more common symptoms of dehydration include a dry mouth, thirst, dry skin, headache and dizziness. When a person's body does not have enough water or fluids, it becomes dehydrated. The condition can range from mild to severe.

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If a person's body loses too much fluid at one time, or if not enough fluids are consumed to keep the body hydrated, dehydration may set in. Some ways in which the body may lose too much fluid include:

Excessive sweating

High fever

Excessive vomiting or diarrhea

Excessive urination

Most people tend to take in enough fluids into keep the body hydrated. However, if someone is sick or nauseous, for example, fluid intake may decrease significantly enough to be of concern. People suffering from diseases such as diabetes are also at risk for dehydration.

Treatment of dehydration simply involves providing the body with the necessary fluids. For those who are nauseous or sick, sucking on ice cubes will help increase fluid intake. Fresh water or sports drinks with electrolytes are also helpful. For severe dehydration cases, it may be necessary to be admitted to the hospital to receive fluids directly into the body intravenously, through an IV directly into a person's vein.